Potentilla canadensis Linnaeus. Running Five-fingers. Phen: Mar-May; Apr-Jun. Hab: Woodlands, forests, fields, lawns, disturbed areas. Dist: NS west to ON, south to GA, MS, and ne. AR.
Origin/Endemic status: Native
Taxonomy Comments: Two varieties are sometimes distinguished (see synonymy); their distinctiveness and relative habitats and distributions are obscure. Var. canadensis is alleged to have the middle leaflet of the larger leaves 1.5-4 cm long and plants silky-pilose, the pubescence appressed or loosely ascending. Var. villosissima Fernald is alleged to have the middle leaflet of the larger leaves 3-6 cm long and plants long-villous, the pubescence loosely spreading to reflexed.
Synonymy: = Ar, C, FNA9, K3, K4, Mi, NE, NY, Pa, RAB, Tn, W; = n/a – Il; = Potentilla caroliniana Poir. – S; > Potentilla canadensis L. var. canadensis – F, G, K1, Va; > Potentilla canadensis L. var. villosissima – F, G, K1; > Potentilla pumila Poir. – S
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